President Donald Trump is set to visit fire-devastated Los Angeles this Friday, where he will confront Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, both of whom he has criticized for failing to protect the city. Trump and Newsom have a history of clashing over California’s forest management. Trump has frequently faulted the state for neglecting measures like brush clearance, logging, and controlled burns. During his first term, Trump consistently provided disaster aid to California despite these disagreements, though tensions remained high.
Last week, Newsom accused Trump of politicizing the wildfires, even as the issue has already become a focal point of political debate. Despite the tensions, Newsom invited Trump to California, and sources indicate that Mayor Bass’s office is also involved in planning the president’s itinerary. Trump has previously labeled Bass as “grossly incompetent” in her handling of the crisis.
Notably, Mayor Bass was reportedly out of the country when the fires began, despite warnings of an impending extreme wind event. Trump, however, has expressed optimism about Los Angeles, referencing the fires in his Second Inaugural Address and pledging to help rebuild the city. But he is likely to push for significant governance reforms before allocating further federal aid to a state he has described as mismanaged. The president’s visit is expected to include stops in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, two areas heavily impacted by the fires."